MANUHERIKIKIA DISTRICT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 592, 22 August 1873, Page 2

MANUHERIKIKIA DISTRICT.

—o — OUR CORRESPONDENT.) By that section of our community who require land for settlement, by those who want the roads repaired, others who want the telegraph, and the rest who desire the thousand and one little wants this world of woe is always seeking, the ever recurring question is, when is Mr Bastings, the' Secretary for the Gold-fields, to visit this district ? he has promised, or some one has for him. that he was to lay olf the Black of land in the Ida Valley Flat, and to take a note of what is wanted., Bring a firm advocate and admirer of Mr. Bastings, I hope he wi'l not long delay his visit, or he may lose in public opinion what he has so lately gained. By the bye, whilst speaking of of the block of land in the Ida Valley, 1 must refer to your Ophir correspondent’s letter published in the last issue, wherein he states that the G4O acres applied for by Mr. Stronach is in the very centre of the block intended to be thrown open by the Government for selection under the deferred payment system, and further that the land is simply taken up to prevent settlement, there'being no intention of putting the same under cultivation. Now as it has come under my own personal knowledge that the whole of the statement is incorrect, I take this opportunity of saying so, and as a proof of my view of the case will say—'l he area intended to be thrown open for settlement in the Ida Valley, is not as yet surveyed, therefore how can it be in the centre of it, ami with respect to not applying it to a useful purpose, I have got to say that it is intended to erect a large wool-shed, and effect such other improvements within the area as in all likelihood will cost 3,000k, and .that within the next twelve mouths. The wish of Ophir is doubtless something beyond seeing hin productions in print, so I would most sincerely advise him to ascertain the correctness of his remarks ere ho makes them. To, the application of Mr. Bow for 640 acres on the Pool Burn there were objections lodged with the Warden. Over this, ami in fact, the other applicatons on account of the owners of Galloway Station, there is likelihood to be some considerable opposition, it will bo as well for the objectors to carefully word their objections what is good forthegoose is equally soforlhe gander, is an old aphorism, and may be, if the objections against the squatter is based on its auriferous value, the same may be launched against the fanner when he requires it. It is the duty doubtless of the residents of the gold-fields to keep intact their own especial land that is the payahly auriferous land, but in attending to this duty, great care should be taken that no factious or party spirit be imported into the matter. At Black’s No. 1, mining has taken quite a start, produced, 1 am inclined to think, by the activity of the Chinese, who are reported to have been doing quite a good thing. Cheeseman and party’s tail race is completed- that is, they have struck payable gold. When they have got fairly to work and have washed up two or three paddocks, 1 shall be able to report if the ground is as good as reputed. At No. 3, the Homeward Bound party are still raising first-class wash-dirt. There are a few other parties working about this locality, and the whole doing remarkably well. At Tinker’s, Bryhread, and Devonshire, the order of the day is washing-up. All hands have an abundance of water, so this pressing operation is not likely to take so long a time as ordinarily. From what I can learn, the results, so far, are up to expectations. The rush at Shepherd's Creek is not likely (according to appearances) to be of any extent. The whole of the ground is doubtless .golden, and will pay handsomely to work with the hydraulic ; but on any other p-incip!c, I do not think it will.